n. [ F. minime, L. minimus the least, smallest, a superl. of minor: cf. It. minima a note in music. See Minor, and cf. Minimum. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Anything very minute; as, the minims of existence; -- applied to animalcula; and the like. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The smallest liquid measure, equal to about one drop; the sixtieth part of a fluid drachm, equal to one four-hundred-eightieth of a fluid ounce, or 0.06161 milliliter (U. S. measure) or 0.05919 milliliters (British measure). [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] 3. (Zool.) A small fish; a minnow. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A little man or being; a dwarf. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Eccl. Hist.) One of an austere order of mendicant hermits or friars founded in the 15th century by St. Francis of Paola. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Mus.) A time note, formerly the shortest in use; a half note, equal to half a semibreve, or two quarter notes or crotchets. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. A short poetical encomium. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] |